ZD421 Series Printer Support
The ZD421 printers (standard and healthcare) are part of the ZD400 Series Printer family.
Retain proof of purchase for warranty confirmation.
+ First Time Setup / Getting Started
The Setup guidelines below will take you to English documentation. You can access the localized User Guides in the MANUALS section.
IMPORTANT! Do not connect your printer to a computer yet!
- If you connected your printer to a computer via USB before driver installation, the printer might appear as an unknown (unspecified) device in “Devices and Printers.”
- If necessary, follow these recovery steps before proceeding to Step 1.
1. Download and install the recommended Windows Printer Driver v8.
- Download the driver from the DRIVERS section below.
- Follow instructions in Installing the Drivers and Running the Printer Installation Wizard.
2. Download and install the Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU) printer configuration utility.
- How to download and install ZSU from the DRIVERS section below.
3. Connect the printer to a USB port on your computer and power up.
- See how you can use Zebra Setup Utilities to configure your printer for a wired or wireless connection.
- You may also refer to the HOW-TO VIDEOS section below for videos relating to serial/Ethernet options and cutter/dispenser options
4. Load media (media usually means labels, but it also includes tag stock, receipt paper, and other things that can be printed on).
- You can watch the video in the HOW-TO VIDEOS section below.
- The media settings must match the actual media that you are using.
How to identify media type.
5. When using thermal transfer media, load ribbon or insert ribbon cartridge.
- This step does not apply to the ZD421 direct thermal printer.
- You can watch the videos in the HOW-TO VIDEOS section below.
- How to find out if you have thermal transfer media?
6. Run a SmartCal media calibration and print a configuration report. Videos are also available in the HOW-TO VIDEOS section below.
7. Manually calibrate ribbon and media sensors.
- When changing the size or type of media.
- If printing issues are observed, such as skipped labels, vertical image/label drift, or media out errors.
8. The printer settings must match the actual supplies that you are using for your print job and the options on your printer. Adjust the printer settings as necessary using Zebra Setup Utilities software or Windows Printer Driver v8
*Additional User Manuals relating to hardware and connectivity options are available in English in the MANUALS section.
+ Drivers
If you connected your printer to the computer via USB before driver installation, follow these recovery steps before printer driver installation.
ZD421 Series Recommended Driver
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ZDesigner v. 8 Driver for Windows
Driver version: 8.6.5.26125
Download 28 MB OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 10 (32 and 64 bit), Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019 (64 bit) View release notes
Recommended driver for use with ZebraDesigner 3.
Supports current Zebra printers (ZPL printer command language/printers running Link-OS).
Printer Configuration Utility
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Zebra Printer Setup Utilities
Version 1.1.9.1297
Download 12 MB View release notes
Use this software to configure your printer after Printer Driver installation.
OPERATING SYSTEM versions: Windows 10/11, Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 (see Release Notes for details)
How to Configure Printer Settings with Zebra Setup Utilities
Alternative Driver
-
Windows Printer Driver v5
Version 5.1.17.7412
Download 13 MB View release notes
Use this driver if you need to use either CPCL or EPL printer command languages.
'ZDesigner Printer Driver' is compatible with ZebraDesigner 3 and prior versions.
OPERATING SYSTEM versions: Windows 10/11, Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 (see Release Notes for details)
How to Install Driver v5
Other Drivers
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OLE for Retail POS (OPOS)
Version 1.14.1.143
Download 7 MB OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 View release notes
Use this driver to develop applications that are compatible with the Unified POS specification. See the release notes for printer compatibility and system requirements.
third-party
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Information about CUPS Driver for label printers.
OPERATING SYSTEM: Mac OS, Linux/Unix
Download 476 KB
Install CUPS Driver for Zebra Printer in Mac OS
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ZD421/621/888D/888T China Local OS - Kylin OS Certificate
Download 425 KB
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ZD421/621/888D/888T China Local OS - UOS Certificate
Download 2 MB
+ Manuals
ZD421 Series Set-Up and User Guides
+ How-To Videos
ZD421 THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER videos
ZD421 DIRECT THERMAL PRINTER videos
ZD421 RIBBON CARTRIDGE PRINTER videos
+ Software
+ Software Manuals
+ Troubleshooting
Top 5 ZD421 Series Knowledge Articles
ZD420 Series Desktop Printer Initial Setup
Performing ZD200 and ZD400 Series Media Calibration
Zebra Setup Utilities: Downloading ZSU and Configuring Printer Settings
Configuring Connectivity for Wired or Wireless Networks Using the Zebra Setup Utilities
Configure or Modify Basic ZDesigner Driver Version 5 Settings
+ Printer OS (Firmware)
ZD421 Series Firmware
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Printer OS v93.21.16Z (released June 24, 2022)
Link-OS v6.7 for ZD411D, ZD411T, ZD611D, ZD611T, ZD421C, ZD421D, ZD421T, ZD621D, ZD621T and RFID versions of these printers.
Download 40 MB View release notes
How to Find Out Printer OS (Firmware) Version
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Firmware Download Utility (ZDownloader)
A utility that uploads Printer OS (Firmware) and Service Packs to your printer.
Download 22 MB View release notes
Upgrade Printer OS (Firmware) using ZDownloader
Other Related Content
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Link-OS v6.7 MIB file for SNMP
Device management file for use with Link-OS printers.
Download 290 KB